How to compress a PDF to 300 KB
- Add your PDF. The target box already says 300 KB.
- Click Compress PDF. The tool tests quality levels from sharpest to lightest and stops at the first one that fits.
- Check the summary to confirm the new size, then download.
Where a 300 KB limit is common
Recruitment portals, scholarship applications and many government service websites accept documents of "up to 300 KB". It is typical for a CV, an identity card scan, a proof of address or a two- to four-page certificate.
Is 300 KB enough for my document?
A clear scanned page needs about 50–80 KB, so 300 KB comfortably holds four to six pages. A one-page ID or certificate will look almost identical to the original.
Example: a 5-page degree transcript
A 9.4 MB colour scan of a transcript goes down to roughly 280 KB at about 100 dpi. Grades, stamps and the signature remain clearly readable.
Tips for the best quality at 300 KB
- Crop dark edges from phone photos before converting them with JPG to PDF; shadows waste space.
- Upload only the pages asked for. If the form wants the first page of a passport, extract just that page with Split PDF.
- Keep the original. If the portal later asks for a different limit, start again from the original, not from the compressed copy.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my result a little under 300 KB?
The tool picks the best quality step that fits, so the file usually lands slightly below the limit. It counts 1 KB as 1024 bytes; if a portal still rejects the file, set the target to 290 and try again.
Does this work on an iPhone?
Yes. Open the page in Safari, tap the upload box and choose your file from Files.
Can I go even smaller?
Yes. Type a lower value in the target box, such as 200 or 150 KB.
Is there a watermark?
No. The tool is free with no watermark, sign-up or daily limit.
Other sizes
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Last reviewed: 2026-11-10. Tools are provided as-is. Keep a copy of important originals. See our disclaimer.